Instagram’s Impact On Kids To Be Investigated By Coalition Of State Attorneys

The Washington Post: Coalition Of State Attorneys General Opens Investigation Into Instagram’s Impact On Children And Teens
A bipartisan coalition of state attorneys general on Thursday announced an investigation into Meta, focusing on whether the parent company of Instagram and Facebook violated consumer protection laws by promoting the app and other social networking products to children and teens. The probe, announced in a news release by Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey (D), follows reports that the company’s internal research suggested that its products negatively impact the mental health of young people, especially teen girls. It highlights ballooning regulatory scrutiny of the tech giant, which is already the target of a federal antitrust lawsuit. (Zakrzewski, 11/18)

AP: State Attorneys General Probing Instagram's Effects On Kids
“For too long, Meta has ignored the havoc that Instagram is wreaking on the mental health and well-being of our children and teens,” said California Attorney General Rob Bonta. “Enough is enough. We’ve undertaken this nationwide investigation to get answers about Meta’s efforts to promote the use of this social media platform to young Californians – and to determine if, in doing so, Meta violated the law.” The investigation targets, among other things, the techniques Meta uses to keep young people on its platforms — and the harms that extended time spent on Instagram can cause. (Ortutay, 11/18)

Stat: Can States Convince Courts Opioid Makers Caused A Public Nuisance?
Earlier this week, the state of Washington went to trial relying on a controversial legal theory to win $38 billion from three large pharmaceutical wholesalers for failing to monitor shipments of prescription opioid painkillers and, as a result, jeopardizing public health. As with any trial, legal strategy is something of a gamble. In this instance, Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson had rejected a settlement offer of $527.5 million over 18 years, which he called “woefully insufficient.” Instead, he believes the state can convincingly argue that the wholesalers caused a “public nuisance,” which generally refers to an action that damages or interferes with a community. (Silverman, 11/18)

AP: Whitmer Proposes $300M In Water Funding For Communities
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday proposed $300 million in water spending to help local utilities address elevated lead levels, plan for pipe replacement and connect users of contaminated wells to municipal supplies. The governor said the funding would expand her $500 million MI Clean Water Plan, some of which has been authorized since it was unveiled more than a year ago. The new funds, which would come from U.S. pandemic relief dollars, would need to be approved by Michigan’s Republican-led Legislature. (Eggert, 11/18)

North Carolina Health News: Juul Settlement Funds To Tackle Youth Vaping 
In North Carolina, where tobacco reigned as a king crop for ages, the state budget plan sailing through the General Assembly includes funds for the first time since 2012 to help prevent young people from getting addicted to nicotine through vaping, smoking and chewing tobacco. That’s in large part because of a $40 million settlement that Josh Stein, the state attorney general, reached this summer with Juul, the e-cigarette giant criticized for its flavored products that attract many teens to vaping. (Blythe, 11/19)

Modern Healthcare: Virginia Latest State To Offer Full Year Of Postpartum Medicaid
Virginia became the latest state to offer 12 months of postpartum Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program coverage after the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approved the state's Medicaid plan amendment Thursday. More states will likely follow suit next year after an American Rescue Plan provision to simplify the application for expanding postpartum coverage for 12 months goes into effect in April 2022. (Goldman, 11/18)

Chicago Tribune: Toxic Algae Blooms May Be Increasing In Illinois 
Barges carrying mounds of coal toward St. Louis passed by Starved Rock at a snail’s pace, inching past yellow-orange trees and sandstone canyons. A bald eagle hovered above a path leading hikers toward Lover’s Leap. Near the Starved Rock Lock and Dam, a pinch point along the Illinois River, the water was dull and unremarkable. But the area is home to a problem that taints waters throughout the state: toxic algae blooms. (Greene, 11/18)

CBS News: Michigan Marijuana Regulators Recall Cannabis Products From Hundreds Of Stores, Citing "Unreliable" Test Results
The Michigan Marijuana Regulatory Agency issued a recall for marijuana products assessed by testing facilities over the last few months, impacting more than 400 sales locations statewide. The agency said on Wednesday it noticed "inaccurate and/or unreliable results" of products tested by Viridis Laboratories and Viridis North. (Powell, 11/18)

In covid news across the states —

WUSF Public Media: Coronavirus Restrictions Are Eased At Florida's Long-Term Care Facilities
For nearly two years Florida’s long-term care residents and their loved ones have been strained by visitation restrictions meant to protect them from the coronavirus.Guidelines released Friday by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services allow all visitors, excluding those that have recently tested positive for the coronavirus. This ends a long and emotional period for those with family and friends in Florida’s care centers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. For months, visitors were kept out of nursing homes and assisted living facilities. (LeFever, 11/18)

Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Atlanta Business Chamber Sticks To Sidelines In Vaccine Mandate Debate
Some business groups are part of the growing legal fight against a federal mandate requiring many employers to ensure workers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or tested weekly. But the Metro Atlanta Chamber, one of the biggest business organizations in Georgia, is among other groups that aren’t wading into the battle even as Georgia joins other states in suing to try to stop the requirement from taking effect. (Kempner, 11/18)